The three iconic guitar brands have launched new series from classic hollow bodies to 80s metal shredders.
Jackson, Charvel, and Gretsch have launched series that hit every corner of the guitar world. Here’s what each brand is bringing to the table.
Jackson Goes Full 80s with Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas
Jackson’s throwing it back to the golden age of metal with the Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas series. And it’s not just nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake – these guitars bring a throwback 80s vibe with a modern twist, giving metal artists the tools to push their sound forward. With vintage Jackson J90C and J50B pickups, old school top-mounted double locking FR1000 tremolo systems, and the original speed neck back shape that made Jackson the go-to for shredders, these axes are as authentic as it gets.
Jackson has release a couple of versions of these 80s axes:
The Pro Origins 1985 San-Dimas SD1A RW: features a rosewood fingerboard and comes in gloss black.
The Pro Origins 1985 Limited Edition San-Dimas SD1 MPL and Pro Origins 1985 San-Dimas SD1 HH MPL: both feature maple fingerboards and come in two-face (Limited Edition), gloss black, snow white, and candy apple red.
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Charvel Pro-Mod Plus So-Cal for modern players
While Jackson’s looking back to the 80s, Charvel’s Pro-Mod Plus So-Cal series takes the classic So-Cal design and loads it with everything a modern player needs. The 12″-16″ compound radius caramelised maple fingerboard feels great under your fingers, while Luminlay side-dots keep you oriented in the dark. But its real power comes from Seymour Duncan Distortion humbuckers in both the bridge and neck positions, delivering a thick tone.
The three models handle different playing styles:
Pro-Mod Plus So-Cal Style 1 HH FR CM and Pro-Mod Plus So-Cal Style 1 HH FR EB: Both feature Floyd Rose 1500 double-locking tremolos for dive bombs and whammy tricks. The CM comes in Blue Burst and Scorched Earth, while the EB offers Snow White and Candy Apple Red.
Pro-Mod Plus So-Cal Style 1 HH HT E features a Charvel-designed hardtail bridge to keep your axe in tune and rock solid. Available in Ferrari Red and Scorched Earth.
Gretsch keeps it classy with Synchromatic Series
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Gretsch’s Synchromatic Falcon and Nashville series deliver hollow-body magic. Their design looks good, but they’re also built for comfort, playability, and maintain that iconic Gretsch sound. Both models feature 2.5″ deep laminated maple bodies with a Semi-Arc bracing design and Hi-Fidelity Filter’Tron pickups that capture classic Gretsch character. The difference comes down to scale length and aesthetics:
Synchromatic Nashville Hollow Body Single-Cut with Bigsby: 24.6″ scale length in 50’s Orange Stain or Cadillac Green.
Synchromatic Falcon Hollow Body Single-Cut with Bigsby: 25.5″ scale length in Snowcrest White or Black.
The three launches represent completely different approaches to guitar making – a sound reminder that great guitar playing is about having the right tool for your style. With this release, you’ve got serious options.
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